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Saibo Experiment Rack (Saibo) - 08.20.14

Science Objectives for EveryoneSaibo Experiment Rack (Saibo) which means ?living cell,? includes a Clean Bench glovebox with microscope that isolates the organisms being studied, and Cell Biology Experiment Facility that includes incubator and centrifuges.

Science Results for EveryoneInformation Pending

The following content was provided by Tsuyoshi Ito, and is maintained in a database by the ISS Program Science Office.

Saibo provides simple standard interfaces to accommodate modular-type payloads in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), Kibo, on board the International Space Station (ISS). This facility will provide the necessary resources to operate two subrack facilities.

Saibo is housed in an International Standard Payload Rack (ISPR). The rack can be divided into several payload segments, as large as half of the entire rack or as small as a breadbox. This concept provides the capability for a simple and shortened integration of subrack facilities and experiments.

Saibo will support the following JAXA subrack facilities:

Clean Bench (CB) is a glove box with HEPA filter and high performance optical microscope.

Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) is an incubator with an artificial gravity generator.

Saibo Experiment Rack (Saibo) utilizes standardized hardware interfaces and a streamlined approach, which enables quick, simple integration of multiple subrack facilities aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Saibo is housed in an International Standard Payload Rack (ISPR), a refrigerator-size container that acts as the exterior shell. Each rack can be divided into several segments; as large as half of the entire rack or as small as a breadbox. Subrack facilities within Saibo can operate independently, allowing for differences in temperature, power levels and schedules. Saibo provides stowage, power, data, command and control, video, water cooling, air cooling, gas exhaust, and carbon dioxide (CO2/nitrogen supply to the subrack facilities.

Saibo is scheduled for launch to the ISS in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Experiment Logistics Module (ELM) on STS-123/1J/A. Prior to operations, Saibo will be transferred to the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Pressurized Module (PM), Kibo, after the JEM-PM is launched on STS-124/1J and attached to the ISS. Subrack facilities contained within Saibo may be controlled by the ISS crew or remotely by the Saibo Rack Officer. Saibo will be transported to the ISS in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Experiment Logistics Module (ELM) aboard the Space Shuttle, STS-123/1J/A. Once the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Pressurized Module (PM), Kibo, is launched and attached to the ISS, Saibo will be transferred by the crew to a rack location inside the Kibo. Once the rack is installed and checked out, the rack will be ready for subrack facility operations and will be operated as the science is scheduled.

Subrack facilities contained within Saibo may be controlled by the ISS crew or remotely by the Saibo Rack Officer on-duty at the User Operations Area in the Space Station Integration and Promotion Center. The Rack Officer routinely checks rack integrity, temperature control and the proper working conditions of JAXA research payloads.

NASA Image: ISS017E011988 - Greg Chamitoff, Flight Engineer - 2 works with the Saibo facility in the Japanese Experiment Module, Kibo. Photo was taken during Expedition 17.+ View Larger Image

NASA Image: ISS019E006769 View of the Saibo Experiment Rack (Saibo) that includes a Clean Bench glovebox with microscope that isolates the organisms being studied,and Cell Biology Experiment Facility that includes incubator and centrifuges. Photo was taken by the Expedition 19.+ View Larger Image